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Chicago: The false confession capital

December 9, 2012 4:00 PM

It's hard to believe people would confess to a heinous crime they didn't commit, but they do -- especially teenagers -- and there is no place in the U.S. where this has occurred more than in Chicago. Byron Pitts reports.

Chicago: The false confession capital

60 Minutes OverTimeWhy do people falsely confess to crimes?

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by MrLiterally March 4, 2013 2:08 PM EST
First DNA-cleared case was a young man in Britain who was kept in a police station for two days, worn down, and browbeat into signing two murder confessions. DNA proved him innocent of both, and fortunately he never had to serve time.

We must put an end to police station confessions, invalidate them. If a defendant wants to confess, let them do so in court, before judge, jury, counsel, and witnesses.
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by MrLiterally March 4, 2013 2:03 PM EST
I think, as a society, we need to come to take seriously confessions only that have been given openly in a courtroom, where the jury can determine whether or not the defendant looks coerced. I wouldn't give two bits and a cup of coffee for a police station confession.
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by MannyHM February 25, 2013 9:10 PM EST
Indeed extracting false confession from innocents is costing a lot of money to the people of Chicago.
It also shows how such primitive and barbaric continue to deceive people into believing that it's effective.
The solution ? It's really very easy and it's already being used in other countries.
Google the name "Kenzi Snider" She is the American student who was coaxed into confessing to a crime she did not commit. What save her ? Answer: The South Korean law that confession to a police officer or an investigator is NOT admissible in court. It's only admissible if done publicly and in front of the public defender.
60 Minutes should have interviewed also Kenzi Snider in the same program.
Again, make the confession to a police officer or an investigator as NON-ADMISSIBLE in court then no police officer or investigator will have the incentive to extract on what's not admissible anyway.
I wrote a letter to the City of Chicago on this idea but I did not get a response.
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by dabarton December 20, 2012 5:08 AM EST
I am surprised that the people of that city has not stood up and demanded Anita Alvarez's job. She was not looking for the truth, only a conviction, which was obvious. When a prosecutor does his job right and only looks for the truth in a case, only then, will justice prevail. The fact that others where able to find the truth means that the prosecutor clearly wasn't looking for the truth. And then there is something wrong with the fact that she still is a prosecutor, She needs to be fired.
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by Mugly420 December 17, 2012 6:52 AM EST
Never talk to the pigs. Never. Never ever. You don't have to say a damn thing to them without a lawyer. You don't even have to answer your door if they come a-knocking. Never give them consent to search your vehicle and never, ever make a statement about anything to the pigs.
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by MrLiterally December 16, 2012 1:46 PM EST
If someone is truly guilty and wants to confess, let them do it within the courtroom. These police station confessions cannot be trusted; too many innocent folks have broken down under questioning and signed whatever was placed before them.
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by 2407may December 15, 2012 9:46 AM EST
illinois is a state that has the worse corruption. i should know, my son has been in saline county jail looking at 23 yrs for something he didnt do an hes been there since march 15,2012. he has a pd that will NOT do a dam thing for him, he has to write his own motions and send them to the court. they have not tested all the evidence on his case????????? they have a mold problem in the showers an wont fix it. now my son has mold on the side of his head, yes you can get mold on skin.and the food they give them is just enought to survie for a day. there is something VERY WRONG WITH THIS CASE. i think facts are being withheld or misreprented. all illinois is just holding innocent people in jails for the money the goverment gives them.
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by pellej83 December 14, 2012 4:15 PM EST
Are all people in America as stupid as Alvarez?
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by timbo1082 December 14, 2012 10:50 AM EST
After reading Ms. Alvarez's response to this segment regarding the Nina Glover case, why they wouldn't submit the evidence that the confessions lead to the finding of the murder weapons. I would say a murder weapon trumps DNA when the person murdered is a known prostitute. To loop the Chicago Police in with the Matthews case shows a lack of proper research and for that 60 minutes should apologize to the CPD.
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by zipitydooda December 14, 2012 5:48 AM EST
You people are shocked about Alvarez? Just business as usual in Crook County.
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